I took the PADI course in Dubai, preceded by the pre-requisite EFR class. The cost was 3000 AED (just under 830 USD), but I expect it to be way cheaper where you are!
EFR is only a prereq if you have no CPR+First Aid qualification.
The PADI course has a laid down format. Some bookwork (with questions), some classroom with videos. Then rescue techniques in the pool; responding to panicking divers on the surface and under water, and bringing an unresponsive diver to the surface and out of the pool, including removing their (and your) BCD while rescue breathing and towing the victim. Lastly, there are 4 dives in the sea (we did two from shore and two from a boat), where the pool lessons are put into practice during some scaringly genuine scenarios (these included compass search and recover techniques). Our last scenario (performed in teams of 4) had two unresponsive divers to find (they were together, breathing off each others octos - hmm!), bring to surface, tow to boat (with rescue breathing), pull into boat and administer CPR and oxygen.
It was an extremely rewarding course - the best I have seen with PADI. It was hard work, but taught me a lot about myself, as well as how to be a proper buddy! I think they ought to teach some of the 'things to look for' during OW (and I think some organisations do this).